Chapter 403: Eruption!

Chapter 403: Eruption!

At six in the morning, the sky was gray and shrouded in mist, creating an intangible sense of oppression.

It was summer, yet today's fog in Barkeland seemed thicker and more pungent than usual, darkening the sky even further.

"Isn't this weather fitting for the birth of the Order Shadow?"

At the entrance to the grand mausoleum, George Iii's eyes were dark, his gaze sweeping over the capital of the Rune Kingdom, the "City of Hope" under his rule.

His eyes carried a scrutinizing look, as if evaluating whether his actions were right. Scenes from the past seemed to float before him, the city's history swirling in his mind.

He saw the laborers in the eastern and dock districts, working day and night, their lives drained away with little regard.

These people rarely lived past three generations, often taken by cold, hunger, and disease, falling like straw, only to be replaced by new waves of workers.

He saw the factory zones, with chimneys rising from every building, spewing thick white exhaust that slowly diffused and vanished, like evidence of sin being erased.

Workers toiled day and night, in the factories, at the machinery, and by the furnaces, their sweat and blood mingling, turning them into cheap, flesh-and-blood machines.

He saw the countless cheap tenements in the Jowood district, home to a vast and diverse population of thieves, thugs, streetwalkers, and gangsters, as well as cooks, servants, female workers, lawyers, and low-sequence psychics and fugitives, each with their own unspoken hardships, struggling to survive like weeds.

He saw the northern, Hillston, and Queens districts, the most beautiful and prosperous parts of Barkeland, with their grand private villas and mansions.

Huge crystal chandeliers hung high, their light refracting through colorful glass, as servants carried fine wine and delicacies to the long dining tables, the scent of luxurious food mingling with the fragrance of wax candles. Elegant gentlemen and charming young ladies danced under the candlelight, the rooms aglow and radiant.

"Truly beautiful."

George Iii lingered on the last scene, a content, smug, and proud smile spreading across his face.

"Indeed, Barkeland, the 'City of a Thousand Cities.'"

Indeed, the most brilliant "City of Hope" in the kingdom he governed.

But such a beautiful city no longer matched His worth. Once He ascended to godhood, His divine kingdom would be even more magnificent than Barkeland.

Light footsteps approached, and in the misty light, a face appeared, bearing a resemblance to George Iii but clearly more weathered and authoritative. The elderly man, whose likeness graced the center of the "Ten Gold Pounds" banknote, walked over, his tone steady.

"The path to godhood is fraught with difficulties. Even if everything goes smoothly, the success rate is only about forty to fifty percent. Do not let your guard down."

He was the "Protector" William I, the ancestor of the royal family, a Sequence 1 "Hand of Order" from the Arbiter pathway.

This elder, known from history books, sensed an uneasy feeling due to his years of experience and had come to warn his descendants and ensure proper precautions were taken.

George Iii's smile was confident to the point of arrogance, his tone smooth.

"Rest assured, I will always remain vigilant and will not let my guard down until I reach the divine throne."

He then added with a less respectful chuckle, "The new invention provided by the Steam Church can better complete the Ascension Ritual, giving me a higher chance of ascending to the divine throne."

William I furrowed his brow, hesitating for a moment before nodding reluctantly.

"The Steam Church has indeed contributed a great deal. Have they made any demands?"

"They have mentioned two, but they are not significant."

George Iii seemed indifferent, answering with a cold detachment.

"Collaborate with the Aurora Society and the Witch Sect. The 'Great Smog,' originally intended to cover up the disappearance of people, will be adjusted to ensure no deaths. The agents of those two groups will be eliminated before the 'Great Smog' occurs."

"Thanks to the inventions by Bonwa, the construction of the mausoleum has progressed ten times faster than before. We no longer need as many people, so the 'Great Smog' is optional. I have already captured Mr. A, the 'Shepherd,' and Pannadia, the 'Witch of Pain,' and they will be executed shortly."

"Hehe, this will prevent any leaks about our collaboration."

William I's expression relaxed, seemingly surprised by the simplicity of the Steam Church's demands. He nodded slightly.

"Whether more or fewer civilians die is indeed insignificant. What is the second matter?"

George Iii's face cooled slightly, a hint of anger surfacing, but not directed at the Steam Church's demands. Instead, it was aimed at another target.

He looked at the gray, misty sky, his tone sour.

"The second task is easier", Bonwa reminded me. "The Fersac Empire has already begun a full-scale invasion of the Rune Kingdom."

"Advance troops will bomb Barkeland with airships, and they will arrive in just a few hours. The fleet from the Soniah Sea is also on its way. War is... no, war has already begun!"

"He demands that I prepare in advance and not deliberately let the enemy run rampant, allowing the lower classes to die, only to use their suffering as an excuse for a speech."

The Fersac Empire is a war powerhouse, boasting the strongest military among the four great nations. The primary reason for this is that the dominant type of psychic in the Fersac Empire is the 'Hunter.'

'Hunters' are the most war-adapted path, representing pure destruction and devastation. Individually, 'Hunters' are not particularly powerful, but in a team, they become the most terrifying presence on the battlefield.

Especially after reaching Sequence 3 'War Bishop,' the difference in strength between a 'Hunter' with an army and one without is vast.

William I frowned deeply. "This is happening faster than expected... However, these two demands don't seem to benefit them much."

He had initially thought the Steam Church's conditions would be to promote their church more within the royal family or to suppress the other two churches.

When did the Steam Church start caring so much about the lives of ordinary people? Even if it's just for show, these matters can't be publicly announced...

Seemingly sensing his ancestor's surprise, George Iii smiled slightly.

"These trivial conditions are worthless, clearly indicating that the Steam Church doesn't intend to demand anything from me at this moment. Instead, they want me to become the 'Black Emperor' and then repay the favor later."

"This is a good thing. Once I stand equal to the Seven Gods, I will decide which deities will be my allies and which will be my enemies..."

Seeing George Iii's overconfidence, his face filled with smiles as he planned his future as a god, the 'Protector' frowned deeply and remained silent.

After long deliberation, ensuring there were no oversights, he finally nodded.

"With 'That One's' secret assistance, your Ascension Ritual will certainly go smoothly..."

"He's helping me for his own sake. Only I can become a god, defeat the Fersac Empire, push the tides of the era, and help Him ascend."

George Iii sneered, his tone becoming increasingly authoritative and dignified.

"Placing the 'Mental Alchemy Society' within the royal family and nobility, guiding the situation in secret—His hidden maneuvers are clear to me. It's just that everyone is stepping back to avoid a confrontation."

"You are still too young and don't understand the terror of 'That One.'"

William I sighed helplessly. "The 'Spectator's' methods are not easily discovered. If you can detect them, it's because He wants you to. After you become a god, 'That One' will be even more difficult to handle..."

He furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, then shook his head, looking up at the morning sky with a slightly softer tone.

"Wait until you become a god to make your plans. Go, it's almost time. We will guard the mausoleum well."

The 'Protector' turned, his gaze becoming cold and ruthless as he began his duty of guarding the mausoleum.

George Iii smiled, knowing that with his ancestor and the royal family's angels like Drink, he had nothing to worry about.

He took one last look at Barkeland and then walked with a smile toward the depths of the mausoleum.

...

At exactly noon, St. Hilland Church.

Bonwa was in a secret room within the church, surrounded by a massive, complex machine far beyond the current era.

During the hunt for the 'Hidden Sage,' Luk had unlocked the knowledge he brought, both as a notification and a reward. The 'God of Steam and Machinery' was in the process of transforming into the 'God of Electricity and Information Technology.'

The final 'Projection Screen' calibration was complete. He gripped the small, round orb in his hand, his face expressionless, and pressed the button in front of him with mechanical precision.

...

At the same time, inside Sodrak Palace.

On the most magnificent clock tower in Barkeland, two armored soldiers gripped large hammers and struck the golden bell hanging from it.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The resounding bell tolls echoed continuously, reaching every corner of Barkeland.

Residents, who had received orders and knew of the important speech today, did not panic. They emerged from their homes, gathered from their respective streets, and, like splashing droplets, merged at the intersections to form a stream.

The stream flowed forward, converging into a mighty river at the entrance to the square.

The river slowly surged, flooding the square.

This scene unfolded in Barkeland, Tingen City, Conston City, Bayam, Enmat Port, Pritz Port, Bansi Port, and Ston City.

Appearing in every city of the Rune Kingdom, East Baryon, and the Rosede Islands.

Amidst the eager anticipation of countless crowds, the massive screens known as "Projection Screens" suddenly lit up in town squares across the nation.

On the screens, the king every Rune citizen knew intimately appeared—George Iii.

With a deep, steady, and reassuring voice, he began to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am your Emperor, the ruler of the Rune Kingdom, East Baryon, and the Rosede Islands, George Augustus Iii."

"Since ascending to the throne, I have been contemplating how to make our nation better. Over the years, I have reduced taxes, closed factories, pushed for the improvement of the Poor Relief Act, and enacted the Grain Act, among other reforms, to ensure our nation prospers."

"… We can be even better."

George Iii, like any seasoned politician, delivered his usual opening remarks with humility, extolling his greatest achievements while performing the most sincere and false drama.

His clear words, efficient gestures, and spontaneous responses to the Spectators' reactions harmonized with all the Spectators, making them laugh and cry with him.

It was a shared, euphoric experience.

"Next year, the Rune Kingdom will establish diplomatic relations with more countries, and our goods will fetch better prices. Next year, trade taxes will be further reduced, ensuring that every commoner can have enough to eat and wear. Next year, there will be more job opportunities and greater prospects for development across the nation…"

"In the name of Emperor George Iii, I will lead the Rune Kingdom to a more distant and brighter future!"

The final words carried an indescribable authority, and all who heard them involuntarily bowed their heads, clasped their hands, and silently murmured:

"In the name of Emperor George Iii!"

...

In a certain tomb, the real George Iii opened his eyes. He donned a black crown that seemed both real and illusory, and drank a bottle of pitch-black magic potion in one gulp.

His body began to transform in the direction of Order Shadow, expanding and extending in a wondrous state.

The nine tombs were islands in the ocean of nothingness, integral parts of the entire rule. The countless, densely packed lighthouses of the people's simultaneous chanting of "Emperor George Iii" anchored him, preventing him from completely detaching from reality and becoming part of the Order Shadow.

He felt the process and smiled brightly.

In just a moment, no more than two minutes, he would become an eternal deity, standing alongside the seven gods, ruling reality as the 'Black Emperor'!

At that moment, he sensed an additional presence from the outside.

...

Outside the tomb, William I stood silently, diligently guarding every detail.

The "Memory" and "Observation" of the "Arbiter" had been elevated to the point where he could sense any change in his domain at the level of the "Hand of Order."

Suddenly, William I's face twitched. He lifted his head and, with a hoarse voice, activated the "Edict."

"No intrusion here!"

An endless radiance enveloped the entire ruins, and a powerful domain restricted even the invisible microorganisms in the air and the ants and insects on the ground, immobilizing them.

Then, from among these creatures, twelve-segmented "Time Worms" emerged, rapidly converging to form a young man dressed in a pointed cap and wearing a monocle.

The Blasphemer, Amon.

He seemed to sigh from the depths of his heart, adjusted his monocle, and smiled gently.

"Though I allowed myself to be discovered, ... isn't life good?"

William I's face turned pale, and he remained silent.

He knew very well the gap between himself and Amon, who was considered the top-tier Blasphemer among all the Kings of Angels.

The Guardian did not say much. With his descendants about to ascend to godhood, he could not back down!

He secretly alerted all the angels guarding the tombs and took a deep breath, issuing a second edict.

"No theft here!"

...

On the bell tower, a figure stood on the railing.

Luk casually watched the speech below. His expression changed slightly as he sensed all the more powerful entities converging on the same location.

He smiled, raised his right hand.

With this gesture, a crimson light emerged from deep within the palace, rushing toward him at nearly the speed of light.

The final "Conqueror" Extraordinary Trait!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end